Day 72- Home Sweet Home

I ran breathlessly on the street. My feet were hurting, my hair was flowing behind me and the windy weather touched my bare shoulders. I was holding my long, white silk gown in both my hands so that I wouldn't fall. My heels clicked and clacked as I sprinted up the church stairs.

Forcefully pushing the door open, I saw the alter, the priest and him in front of me. Dozen's of eyes of strangers, friends, and relatives had their gazes stuck at me while I slowly began walking towards them. I could feel my heart thumping so loud, so intensely. I was losing focus of my sight due to nervousness but I held on and kept on walking without looking at either side of me.

The church wasn't decorated but yet beauty emanated from its very core.

I stood across him, facing him, staring into his eyes. I couldn't be any happier. That's what I thought. Then the priest began saying something, it was inaudible for me. Everything around me was out of my focal point except his charming face.

I looked at his lips and the words came out loud and clear, "I do."

He stared at me back, his pink set curling up into a smile and a pleased smirk. I felt my tongue tingling to say those words back to him. I felt a strange euphoria spreading across my body and my heart was at its rapid beating as always.

"I do," I remember saying it so loud and clear that my ears rang in echo. It was my voice. It was my tone; an octave too high.

But then something happened. Just when I thought I was the happiest person on this planet earth, I turned out to be the most confused one.

Jellal's face that was beaming at me--who was ever ready to embrace me and kiss me—had changed to Gray's face.

He was smiling at me the same way Jellal did. My eyes grew wide. My thoughts went haywire and my rapid beating heart stopped at once.

Gray held my pale hands and pulled me towards him gently. I felt his hand in mine; so tender and cold. I also felt the thickness of his black suit and the heaviness of his body. He chuckled and bumped our foreheads and for some reason, I chuckled back. I was suddenly feeling happy again. As though the two of us were meant to be married.

And we kissed.

I woke up.

--

My eyes shot wide open and the blank ceiling greeted me blandly. It was a dream...It was just a dream...

I took a sigh of relief and closed my eyes again. I didn't want to dream that dream again.

"Had a nightmare?" A familiar voice spoke beside me and I jumped; startled and shocked. Grabbing the pillow, I held it in front of me like a shield and let out a tiny, faint yelp. My voice had not yet come back to me since I had just woken up.

"Woah there, Captain America. Calm down, it's just me."

I looked from on top of the pillow and saw Gray laying on my bed coolly. Almost like he owned the damn room.

"W-what are you doing here, Gray?" I annoyedly threw the pillow at him and pushed back my messy hair.

Gray caught the pillow, "I just came to wake you up but then you were in a deep sleep so I thought I would just spend some time looking at this--" He moved his eyes from my head to toe, "Beautiful piece of art." He winked at me.

"Get out of my room." I exhaled loudly, practically controlling my rage inside my fist.

"Wow, you're angry. I should probably get out before I get thrown out of the window." He mumbled and eventually, step by step, made his way towards the door. "Oh, by the way, you sleep talk."

"What?" I frowned.

"You sleep talk. You said his name so many times I was on the brink of throwing up."

I impassively looked around in my room for something to throw at him but before I could, he chortled and left the room, shouting, "BE DOWN IN TEN MINUTES, SLEEP TALKER!"

I marched to my door and slammed it shut. Ugh, he's annoying. Why did I even marry such a guy in my dream?

--

"Morning, Erza-Chan." Mavis cheerfully greeted me. She was alone in the kitchen while the others (Only Gray and Zeref...I wonder where Jellal is) Were stuck in front of the T.V, their eyes glued to the soccer match.

"Hey, Erzy Scarlety." Zeref raised a hand without looking at me so I ignored him and walked over to Mavis. She had already prepared my breakfast and was preparing the lunch. I sat at the platform and thanked her for the food before digging in in the delicious egg Mavis makes.

There was muteness between us which was unusual because Mavis would always keep the conversation going on and on until I was finished eating. But today, she somehow looked dull and her aura wasn't bliss at all. It was somewhere in between dark clouds and rain and thunder.

"Where is Jellal?" I asked, hoping to converse with her so that I could cheer her up some way or the other.

"He...uh." She pushed back a strand of hair behind her ear and tensely mixed the pumpkin soup with the ladle.

"He?" I repeated.

"He left a while ago."

"Left?" I placed down my buttered toast, "Where?"

"He didn't--" Mavis tried to avoid my gaze.

"He left and he didn't say where." Gray's voice boomed behind me. I looked back at him. "Why did he leave?" I asked but it sounded like the previous question so I doubted anyone would be able to answer.

"We don't know, he just said he will be back in a few days." Zeref switched off the T.V and walked towards us.

But I don't understand...Didn't he say he would take me somewhere today? It was a surprise, right?

"Besides, we are leaving too. Pack your bags, Erza." Gray said.

"Leaving? Where are going?"

"Home, of course."

"Home? But why?"

"Erza, you can't keep on living here with them and moreover, the wedding date is over so now you gotta face your mom, understood?"

"But--"

"You have to go, Erza. You gotta tell her who you really love."

Gray's right...I can't keep on running away from mom and neither can I hide my true feelings. I know she will be super mad at me. She might even slap me or not even talk to me for weeks but I gotta do this. I must let her know why I left and why she shouldn't just make promises.

"Okay..." I nodded hesitantly.

"Erza, don't worry. I'm sure your mom is understanding and thoughtful." Zeref gently smiled at me.

"She is thoughtful," I mumbled.

"Just try to look as sad and remorseful as possible." He teased.

--

"Ready, Erza Fullbuster?" Gray yelled from downstairs.

"Ha ha, very funny, Gray Fullbuster." I fake laughed loudly and for the last time looked at the bedroom I had been living in. I would be lying if I said I wouldn't miss it. I would miss Mavis, Zeref, and the moments we spent together (Also Mavis' cooking)

Sadly, closing the door behind me, I descended the stairs gloomily. Mavis and Zeref were standing near the door, staring at me desolately, though, they tried to smile. It was as if I was their kid and they were sending me off so that I can be an independent woman. They took such good care of me. I won't ever forget the times we spend together. I knew I was on the brink of crying but I held it them back. I was acting strong.

I hugged Mavis, she cried, sniffing, "I will miss you a lot Erza-Chan!" And more crying. I wished her good luck for her love, however not so directly.

Then I hugged Zeref. He ruffled my hair, kissed me on the forehead and whispered, "I will always love you, Erza Scarlet. Pity that I am not the one for you," I smiled. He chuckled. "Be sure to call me at your wedding, though. Don't wanna miss such an occasion."

"I will," I muttered and looked at Gray. He nodded once and we left the Dragneel household.

--

"You know you can cry if you want. I won't tease." Gray said. The houses, the trees, and the people appeared like a faint streak of sunlight. We were at the very back of the bus, just like we were when we first came here. But the only thing missing was him. Why did he leave without telling me anything? Where did he go to? Where is my surprise which I was looking forward to?

"Yeah..." I replied softly yet, I held myself from crying. I didn't imagine it would be so painful to leave the people I barely know.

Gray tried to talk to me randomly. Tried to make me laugh, crack some strange jokes, told some odd stories. We slept; I rested my head on his shoulder and he rested his head on mine.

It was getting a little dark, the clouds were getting murky.

"Looks like it's gonna rain soon," Gray said before I could.

"Yeah."

"Do you like rain?"

"I do."

I do like rain. The smell of the rain, the smell of the damp soil and the smell of the trees that sway faintly.

--

The bus stopped and we got down. Gray paid the ticket. I thanked him. He shook his head and said, "That's what guys do, right?"

We stood in front of my door. I was having a hard time breathing. I was getting dizzy and the thought of mom not opening the door pained me the most.

"Come on, Erza. Ring the bell." He softly said.

I couldn't move. I couldn't raise my finger and press the damn button.

However, instead, Gray pressed it and I shot a glaring look at him. He shrugged with a sly smile and patted my head. "It's okay."

I breathed deeply and looked ahead. I couldn't be angry at Gray because I was too afraid of my mom. Why didn't I think of the outcome before committing such a remorseful action?

I heard the footsteps from the other side and I clenched my fists tightly.

The moment was here when mom would open the door, look at me for a few seconds and then slap it on my face again.

The door clicked.

It slowly opened.

And there she was, standing with her eyes wide open. Staring at me in confusion and shock.

"H-hey...Mom..." I managed to blurt in a cracked voice.

She didn't say anything for quite a while. She just stared at me and for some reason, I couldn't understand her expression. Was she mad at me? Was she happy that I came back home again?

And then as the cinder dyed clouds passed by, she leaped toward me and hugged me tightly. "Oh, my dear, Erza!" She cried. "I was so worried about you! I am angry at you but I can't stop myself from crying! I missed you so much!"

The warmth in her voice made me cry too. I was definite now that I was going to get a beating after such a comforting welcome but I didn't care because she loved me and I disappointed her and I had to get my punishment for what I did.

She pulled out from the hug and dragged me inside. Home sweet home.

--

I was in the living room with my hand clasped to my cheek. It had swollen a little and I might have shed a tear or two but the pain was subsiding. Gray let out a tiny chuckle beside me and I scowled at him.

Mom came with a tray filled with sandwiches and snacks and drinks. She placed it on the tea table and sat across me with a stoic face.

I looked down at my feet instead of at her and waited for the conversation to begin.

"Explain yourself, young lady." She said, breaking the awkward silence.

I looked up at her but I couldn't say anything while her face was impassively staring back at mine. So, I looked down again and announced everything from the beginning to the end. I also declared my love for a guy named Jellal Fernandes. That I would marry him and only him. Mom shared a couple of uncertain glances at Gray but I kept on talking until finally, it was time to stop.

I wasn't hungry. Not because I ate anything but because I feared her reply.

Dumbness overlapped the cold atmosphere. My legs were getting restless.

When right then, Mom got up from her seat, "I need some time to think." She said.

I slowly nodded.

"We will talk about this again tomorrow, Erza." Her voice seemed angry.

"Yes, mom..." I replied.

She turned around and left the living room, promptly heading towards her bedroom.

I looked at Gray and he smiled at me. "You did well."

I sighed and buried my constricted face in my hands.

He patted my back, "Give her some time."

"What if she doesn't agree...?" I asked in a muffled tone.

"She will."

"How are you so sure?"

"Because you take over her."

I could sense him smiling his usual tickled smile.